Footsteps echoed sharply against the marble floor.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Suddenly strong arms wrapped around Clara's shoulders before settling beside her.
"Aunt Clara, I missed you," turning to Khalid. "Hi Uncle Khalid."
"Ouch," Clara said softly, "Ryan, you're no longer a child."
"Never too old to hug my favorite aunty."
Khalid chucked."Good to see you too, Ryan."
Only then did Ryan release her.
"It's been a year or more since I have seen you. I missed you; what did you bring for me?"
Clara reached over and patted his arm affectionately; her smile remained on her lips.
"I miss you too," she said, pointing at Manson. "He asked his uncle to inform me to not bring anything."
"Arghhhh!" Ryan groaned; his eyes shifted to Manson. "You jerk!"
Manson looked utterly unbothered.
"Hey man," he said with a shrug. "I'm trying to save Aunt Clara from unnecessary stress."
"Stress?"
Ryan's hand flew across Clara's back, smacking Manson hard on his shoulders.
